Storage rack



E. E. SHILE STORAGE RACK March 22, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24, 1964 INVENTOR. FJX/df/ JXi/f E. E. SHILE STORAGE RACK March 22, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1964 United States Patent 3,241,685 STORAGE RACK Edward E. Shile, Southfield, Mich., assignor to Palmer- Shile Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed July 24, 1964, Ser. No. 384,837 6 Claims. (Cl. 211177) This invention relates to storage racks, and more particularly to racks which may be erected or dismantled and which form storage shelving, pallet racks and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved knock-down storage rack of the type having upright frames connected to detachable longitudinal beams, and in which the upright frames may be easily disassembled for compact storage and transportation, yet readily reassembled in the field without the necessity for welding parts together.

It is .a further object to provide an improved storage rack of this type which is of relatively simple and economical construction and is sturdy and reliable in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front-elevational view of an assembled storage rack utilizing the present invention, parts being broken away;

FIGURE 2 is an end-elevational view of one of the upright frames in its assembled condition;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2 and showing the manner in which the cross bars of the upright frame interfit With the posts thereof;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken in the area of 4 of FIGURE 2 and showing the construction of one of the frame assembly brackets;

FIGURE 5 is a crosssectional view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 2 and showing the manner in which the cross bar passes through the assembly bracket; ,and

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but of a modified form of assembly bracket having its ends as well as its central portion fastened to the post.

Briefly, each of the illustrated embodiments of the invention comprises a storage rack having a plurality of horizontally spaced upright frames connected by removable longitudinal beams upon which may rest the material or merchandise to be stored. Each upright frame comprises a front and a rear post of generally channel-shaped cross section with inturned flanges, the posts having outwardly pressed portions forming slots for receiving projections at the ends of the longitudinal beams to be secured thereto.

The invention contemplates the securing together of the front and rear posts in a manner which provides an extremely rigid frame capable of resisting forces normally placed on the rack, yet which may be easily disassembled so that the frame components may be compactly stowed or transported, and readily reassembled in the field by simple operations to again form a rigid structure.

The front and rear posts of each upright frame are connected by a plurality of vertically spaced cross members of channel-shaped cross section which pass through the "ice inturned flanges of the posts and engage the inner surfaces of their webs. A plurality of vertically spaced assembly brackets are secured to the facing inturned flanges of the front and rear posts, each bracket having a flat central section with an apertured portion through which a cross member passes, and upper and lower outwardly extending inclined wings having apertured tabs. The tabs are so arranged that each upper tab on a post faces a lower tab on the other post. Inclined tie rods are provided extending through these tabs in an inclined manner, the ends of the tie rods being threaded so as to receive nuts for tightening them. The rods thus form diagonal braces which, together with the cross bars, will unite the front and rear posts into a rigid upright frame. To disassemble the frame, it is merely necessary to unscrew the nuts and slip the tie rods and cross bars from the posts. Reassem-bly in the field merely involves inserting the cross bars through the central bracket portions and fastening the tie rods to the bracket wing tabs.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a general view of the storage rack is shown in FIGURE 1, the rack comprising a plurality of horizontally spaced upright frames 11 which are connected by longitudinal load-supporting beams 12. Each beam 12 has angular end members 13 with downwardly extending projections which are receivable in slots 14 formed in the front and rear posts, generally indicated at 15 and 16, respectively, of each upright frame. Each post 15 and 16 comprises a central web 17, and a pair of flanges 18 having inturned edges 19. Vertically spaced portions 21 are pressed out of the webs 17 to form the slots 14, the end members 13 of the bars 12 being engageable with a flange 18 of either post so that the projections thereof may enter the slots 14. The beams 12 may be detached from the frames 11 by upward movement thereof, withdrawing the projections on the end portions 13 from the slots 14.

The construction of each upright frame 11 is seen in FIGURES 2 to 5. Each front post 15 and each rear post 16 has secured to it a plurality of assembly brackets being in vertically spaced relation with the upper and 22. In this embodiment, three assembly brackets 22 are shown in each of the front and rear posts, the brackets being in vertically spaced relation with the upper and lower brackets adjacent the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the post and the middle bracket adjacent a central portion of the post.

The construction of each bracket is seen best in FIG- URES 4 and 5, the bracket having a central 'web section 23 and outwardly extending inclined wings, there being an upper wing 24 and a lower wing 25. The width of each bracket 22 is slightly less than the total width of the post 15 or 16, as seen in FIGURE 5, and the edges of the web section 23 are welded to the inturned edges 19 of the post flanges 18, as indicated at 26.

The outer ends of the wings 24 and 25 are bent back toward the post to form upper and lower tabs 27 and 28 respectively. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 5, these tabs are considerably shorter than the corresponding wings, so that the ends of the tabs are spaced from the post.

A central aperture 29 of rectangular shape is formed in the central section 23 of each bracket 22. Each bracket on the front post matches a bracket at a corresponding height on the rear post, so that their apertures 29 are horizontally aligned. A plurality of cross bars generally indicated at 30 are provided, these cross bars being of channel shape as seen in FIGURE 5, with upper web portions 31 and downwardly extending flange portions 32. The size of the apertures 29 is such that they will just accommodate bars 30 passing therethrough, the ends of the cross bar engaging the inner surfaces 33 and 34, respectively, of webs 17 on posts 15 and 16, as seen in FIGURE 3. The length of the bars 30 is such as to maintain the front and rear posts in proper relationship when they are in assembled condition, so as to provide the desired depth for the storage rack.

Apertured portions 35 and 36 are formed in the tabs 27 and 28, respectively, of brackets 22. A plurality of tie rods 37 and 38 are provided, each tie rod being of such length as to extend between a tab 27 on one post and a facing tab 28 on the other post when the rods are in assembled position. Four such rods are shown in the illustrated embodiment, two rods 37 each extending from a tab 28 on the front post 15 to a tab 27 on the rear post 16, and two rods 38 each extending between a tab 27 on the front post 15 and a tab 28 on the rear post 16. The lengths of rods 37 and 38 are slightly longer than the distance between the tabs through which they extend, and their ends 39 are threaded so as to receive nuts 41 which are engageable with the tabs to tauten the rods. The upper Wings 24 on the uppermost brackets 22 and the lower wings 25 on the lowermost brackets 22 are not used, the brackets all being of the same shape to facilitate manufacture.

In use of the storage rack of this invention, it will be seen that when the parts are in their assembled position as shown in the figures, with nuts 41 tightened, the upright frame 11 will be a rigid structure, incapable of collapse under the weight of forces on the beams 12 or of lateral forces thereon. The tie rods 37 and 38 will form inclined cross braces, alternately subjected to tension when forces are applied to the upright frame in a leftward or rightward direction as seen in FIGURE 2. These tension forces will be transferred through the tabs 27 or 28 and the wings 24 or 25 to the central sections of the brackets which are welded to the posts themselves, thus providing a structure which is entirely rigid. The horizontal components of forces exerted by the tie rods 37 and 38 will be transmitted to the cross bars 30, the posts thus being held tightly against the cross bars and maintained in properly spaced relationship.

Should it be desired to disassemble the storage rack, the longitudinal beams 12 will first be removed, so that the upright frames 11 may be laid fiat. The nuts 41 will then be unscrewed from the tie rods and the latter removed from the bracket tabs. The posts 15 and 16 may then be spread apart to enable the cross bars 30 to be removed therefrom. All the parts may thus be stowed or transported as a compact bundle, or if desired, stored in separate locations.

To reassemble the storage rack, it is merely necessary to place the posts 15 and 16 of each upright frame in parallel relation on the ground, slip the cross bars 30 into the aligned apertures 29 on the front and rear posts, place the tie rods 37 and 38 in place, and tighten them with the nuts 41. The upright frame will then become a rigid unified structure and may be stood in a vertical position so that longitudinal beams 12 may be mounted thereon.

FIGURE 6 shows a modified construction of a bracket generally indicated at 101. This modified construction is quite similar to that of the bracket 22, having an apertured central section 102 and upper and lower wings 103 and 104, respectively. However, the tabs 105 and 106 of the bracket 101 extend the entire distance back to the inturned flange edges 19 of the posts 15 and 16, respectively, and are welded thereto, as indicated at 107. This will result in additional strength for the brackets 101 when the nuts on the tie rods 37 and 38 are tightened, the load being distributed between the weld 106 for section 102 and the weld 107 for the wing tab 105 or 106.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a storage rack of the type having a plurality of horizontally spaced upright frames with front and rear posts and longitudinal load-supporting beams extending between and detachably securable to said upright frames, the construction for an upright frame which comprises a plurality of vertically spaced cross bars extending between and detachably abutting said front and rear posts, means on said posts retaining the ends of said cross bars against vertical movement with respect to said posts, upwardly and downwardly inclined wings secured to each post adjacent each of said retaining means and extending toward the other post, tie rods extending in inclined fashion between each upwardly inclined wing on a post and a downwardly inclined wing on the other post, and means for detachably securing the ends of said tie rods to said wings whereby said rods will resist tension forces thereon.

2. In a storage rack of the type having a plurality of horizontally spaced upright frames with front and rear posts and longitudinal load-supporting beams extending between and detachably securable to said upright frames, the construction for an upright frame which includes a plurality of vertically spaced assembly brackets secured to the facing sides of the front and rear posts, pairs of brackets on the front and rear posts each having a common height, a plurality of vertically spaced cross bars extending between said front and rear posts, each bracket having a central section secured to its corresponding post and through which the end portion of a cross bar removably extends so as to abut the post, each bracket further having upwardly and downwardly extending inclined wings, inclined tie rods extending between the front and rear posts, and means for detachably securing the ends of said tie rods to said wings in such manner as to permit the tie rods to resist tension forces thereon.

3. In a storage rack, the combination including a plurality of horizontally spaced upright frames each having front and rear posts, longitudinal load-supporting beams extending between and detachably securable to said upright frames, a plurality of vertically spaced assembly brackets secured to the facing sides of said front and rear posts, pairs of brackets on said front and rear posts each having a common height, a plurality of vertically spaced cross bars extending between said front and rear posts, each bracket having a central section secured to its corresponding post and through which the end portion of a cross bar removably extends so as to abut the post, each bracket further having upwardly and downwardly extending inclined wings, inclined tie rods extending between the front and rear posts, the outer end of each wing having a transversely extending tab, each tab on a post facing a vertically spaced tab on the other post to form a pair, tie rods extending between said pairs of tabs, and means for detachably securing the ends of said tie rods to said tabs whereby the tie rods will resist tension forces thereon.

4. In a storage rack, the combination including a plurality of spaced upright members each having generally channel-shaped front and rear posts with outwardly facing webs, longitudinal load-supporting beams extending between said upright frames, a plurality of vertically spaced assembly brackets secured to the facing surfaces of said front and rear posts, the brackets being arranged in pairs at equal heights, each bracket having a central section welded to its corresponding post, outwardly inclined upper and lower wings extending from said central section, apertured tabs extending transversely from the outer ends of said Wings, cross bars extending between said front and rear posts, apertured portions in said central bracket sec- 5 6 tions adapted to permit the ends of said cross bars to slip References Cited by the Examiner through said central bracket sections into the interior of UNITED STATES PATENTS sald front and rear posts so that the cross bar ends engage the inner web surfaces thereof, inclined tie rods extend- 7521065 2/1904 Guy ing between the lower tab on each bracket of one post and 5 1,705,598 3/1929 Werlzberger 52 226 the upper tab on the bracket next below of the other post, 310091582 11/1961 Deglner 211 177 the ends of said rods being threaded, and nuts mounted FOREIGN PATENTS on said threaded ends to tauten said rods.

5 The combination according to claim 4 wherein the 930984 7/1963 Great Bntam outer ends of said tabs are spaced from said posts. 10 CHANCELLOR E HARRIS Primary Examiner 6. The combination according to claim 4 wherein the outer ends of said tabs are welded to said posts. CLAUDE LE Examine?- 

1. IN A STORAGE RACK OF THE TYPE HAVING A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED UPRIGHT FRAMES WITH FRONT AND REAR POSTS AND LONGITUDINAL LOAD-SUPPORTING BEAMS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND DETACHABLY SECURABLE TO SAID UPRIGHT FRAMES, THE CONSTRUCTION FOR AN UPRIGHT FRAME WHICH COMPRISES A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED CROSS BARS EXTENDING BETWEN AND DETACHABLY ABUTTING SAID FRONT AND REAR POSTS, MEANS ON SAID POSTS RETAINING THE ENDS OF SAID CROSS BARS AGAINST VERTICAL MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID POSTS, UPWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY INCLINED WINGS SECURED TO EACH POST ADJACENT EACH OF SAID RETAINING MEANS AND EXTENDING TOWARD THE OTHER POST, TIE RODS EXTENDING IN INCLINED FASHION BETWEEN EACH UPWARDLY INCLINED WING ON A POST AND A DOWNWARDLY INCLINED WING ON THE OTHER POST, AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY SECURING THE ENDS OF SAID TIE RODS TO SAID WINGS WHEREBY SAID RODS WILL RESIST TENSION FORCES THEREON. 